Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
Velas Resorts vs Hard Rock All-Inclusive Collection — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hard Rock Hotel Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 539 | 601 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 13 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2012 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2024 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hard Rock Hotel Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hard Rock Hotel Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 16 |
| Included | 15 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hard Rock Hotel Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hard Rock Hotel Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 4 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Pros
- Cocina de Autor is the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to earn both a MICHELIN star and AAA Five Diamond — included in the rate
- SE Spa with Forbes Five Stars, 90,000+ square feet, and 40+ treatment suites is one of the largest and most awarded resort spas in Mexico
- Three distinct ambiances mean guests in Zen Grand have a completely different resort experience from guests in Grand Class — useful for multi-room group bookings
- Tulum ruins are 15 minutes away and cenote tours are easy half-day excursions from this location
Cons
- Zen Grand suites are three-quarters of a mile from the beach — the shuttle runs frequently but beach access requires active planning
- Cocina de Autor and Piaf book up as far as 6 months in advance in peak season — call before arrival rather than assuming on-arrival booking
- Premium pricing at the top of the Riviera Maya all-inclusive market — the quality justifies it but the commitment is real
Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
Pros
- Sound of Your Stay instrument borrowing and Music Lab recording studio are genuinely distinctive — no comparable Cancun all-inclusive has this
- Hotel Zone location means easy taxi access to Cancun's restaurants, clubs, and sights without major excursion planning
- 601 rooms is large enough to have full facilities but small enough to navigate without a shuttle
Cons
- Timeshare and travel club pitches from staff are persistent and well-documented — have a polite decline ready, particularly near the concierge area
- Premium spirits can run out at bars later in the evening — this is an operational gap that appears consistently in guest reviews
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Hard Rock Hotel Cancun is the larger property, while Hard Rock Hotel Cancun has more dining venues.